Selecting the Best Software as a Service For Your Business

Small and medium-sized businesses have increasingly turned to SaaS, or Software as a Service, to access the tools and resources they need to complete their objectives. Rather than maintaining a solution in-house, SaaS is delivered as a web application or through the cloud. However, not all SaaS solutions deliver the same functionality.

In order to garner the most benefit from your SaaS solution, you should be sure it offers the following features:

Integration -- You don’t want to have to change how the rest of your business functions for the sake of using a SaaS solution. Therefore, it is important that you check to see that your current operating systems, applications, and programs are compatible with the solution. Otherwise, you’ll probably need to purchase additional tools to help integrate your current systems with the SaaS. This is less likely to be an issue with the more recognizable providers, but it never hurts to check.

Bundled Services -- For the sake of convenience and compatibility, it may make more sense to select a SaaS package that lumps together a variety of necessary tools and services. This helps avoid potential incompatibilities with other solutions that you might otherwise assemble piecemeal.

Mobile -- It only makes sense to be prepared to take care of business whether or not you are in the office. According to Intuit, 43% of small business owners run their business primarily through their smartphone. Selecting a SaaS solution with mobile device compatibility makes it easier to take your business on the road with you.

These are not the only considerations you need to make. In order to ensure that you are making the best possible decision for your business and its success, there are a few other concerns that you need to ask your SaaS provider about.

Data Ownership -- When dealing with a SaaS provider, you need to be sure that you are aware of the terms of your potential agreement. You will be storing your data on someone else’s equipment. What happens if you were to suddenly leave the agreement, or your provider’s business fails? You have to be sure that your data will still be accessible to you.

Service Level Agreements and Failsafes -- What kind of service does your provider guarantee you? What terms are outlined in their agreement? Do they address their procedure in the case of a security breach? What does it say about ending your business relationship with them? How do they deal with downtime events, and do they have any redundancies in place? For the sake of your business, these are things you should know before selecting a SaaS provider.

Directive can help you find the vendors that best fit your needs. For more assistance, reach out to us at 607.433.2200.

About the author

Chris is a hopeless Technology Fanatic, an Inbound & Outbound Marketing Expert as well as a Trusted I.T. Advisor, Web, Graphics & Software Designer. When he's not running Directive and JoomConnect he's probably sharpening his skills as an Amateur Photographer and Filmmaker. Chris lives with his wife Charlotte and their 2 sons in Upstate NY. Visit his photography site at www.directivestudios.com.